STARTLING – AT 9:59 A.M. ET:  Hillary Clinton, in her speech yesterday acknowledging victory in the Nevada caucuses, made a startling statement.  It was directed right at young voters:

I want to say this to all the young people out there. I know what you're up against if you left college with a ton of loans, it's not enough just to make college more affordable. You need help right now with the debt you already have.

That's why I have a plan to cut your interest rates and cap payments so you never have to pay more than you can afford.

But I want you to think about this. It can't be just about what we're going to give to you. It has to be about we're going to build together. Your generation is the most tolerant and connected our country has ever seen. In the days ahead, we will propose new ways for more Americans to get involved in national service and give back to our communities, because every one of us has a role to play in building the future we want.

Washington is never going to have all the answers, but for every problem we face somewhere someone in America is solving it. And we need you to be part of that exciting journey we can make together.

COMMENT:   Of course, Clinton was channeling Jack Kennedy's, "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."  That is not a primary-campaign statement.  It's a general-election-campaign statement. 

I wonder if Clinton, who has some friendly territory ahead in South Carolina and elsewhere, believes that she's overcoming the danger from Bernie Sanders and is now on her way to the nomination.  I wonder if she's starting to pivot, to attract the wider audience needed to win in November.

Her comment was directed at young people who've defected to Bernie, who, after all, is offering a lot of free stuff that he can't pay for.

Just wonderin'.  But don't be shocked if Clinton starts campaigning as if she already has the nomination. 

February 21,  2016